Biscuits Gotta Eat Too, News & Notes

Not much to report yet, the club is still getting its feet underneath itself. We are getting a good feel for what to expect this summer during this extended homestand. So far its been win some, lose some, and sometimes it rains.

BERGIE

As of this writing Erik Ostberg had two extra base hits in his two seasons with the Biscuits, both triples. One of three Biscuit catchers this season, Ostberg has good wheels and is just waiting to break out.

Look for Ostberg to find the groove and do some yard work soon. I have it from a good source that a "Bergie Bomb" is a wonderous thing to behold. "Bergie bombs don't land" was another report.

PEPPA

Nicknames are always a good way to win the crowd over and Biscuits lefty reliever Jose Lopez has a good one. Peppa brings heat from the southside and while he ran into trouble on Saturday it won't be long before the Dominican-born Lopez is Peppa in Durham.

 

MEAD RULES GOLF TOO

Every year I ask who the best golfer is, with little debate among those polled this season the answer is Curtis Mead. 

Slugging at a mad rate and handling business at the hot corner with ease, Mead was tested at second base and managed with little difficulty. 

 

Able at all tasks on the diamond, the Aussie Mead is a treat for Biscuits fans while he remains in the Southern League.

 

 

JONES ON THE RUN

With twelve steals in sixteen games Greg Jones has got the green light every time. 

After driving fourteen homers last year Greg already has a pair of dingers but has been even more impressive on the basepaths. 

Greg Jones' low batting average is due for an uptick, as indicated by his sustainable Babip and career .285 average.

 

 

SPOONS AT THE WHEEL

Grant Witherspoon has been low-key driving the bus for the Biscuits, batting .293 with thirteen runs driven in and picking up two delicious outfield assists in ten games. 

"He looks like a twelve year old with those rosy cheeks!" I heard from the seats behind me just before Grant launched a monster home run, which shows just how low-key Spoons has been. 

How low key is he? Spoons is the last guy left on the club that I don't have a good pic of yet!

WALKING KAM

Biscuits Kameron Misner is among the league leaders in bases on balls, earning nearly twenty free passes in his first fifteen games. Misner, part of the Tampa deal that sent Wendle to Miami, was with Pensacola last year for about two weeks. 

In February Forbes magazine called Misner "the toolbox" the Rays got in exchange for Wendle and "a project with upside". Not sure if thats really a compliment but there it is. For me it looks like Misner knows the zone well enough to claim a spot in the middle of the batting order for Biscuits skipper Mo Ensberg.

What? Want more?

Okay, tough crowd, but okay. Uh, it looks like the Southern League is using MLB baseballs. Not a big deal on the surface, but deeper study is needed to determine if we are seeing last years stock of juiced balls being used or if we are just being supplied this years MLB orbs due to the Southern League name not being legally cleared in time. 

One hitter I talked to was doubtful the balls in Biscuits games were juiced, having experienced the rabbit balls in extended spring training last year. 

However another source I heard from reported unusual exit velos in Montgomery games. Only time will tell. 

SHOWIN SOME LOVE

More?

Jeez, what do you want from a guy tryin to post less? Okay, okay don't freak out, I'll dish! It is nice to be wanted... 

NEW BAGS IN USE

The new bases are being used in Biscuits games this season, larger by three inches each side. 

Noticeably oversized, they have been jokingly described as "pizza boxes". At the All Star Break the second base bag will be moved a few inches closer to the mound, in what I suspect will have little or no effect on the game ever.

 

WHATTA WE GOT HERE

1870s Montgomery cotton wagons

Usually my blog posts are geared towards fans of the team and those with interest in the players and history of our area. However today we will shift the focus a little, offering intel for those who are in town either with the team or to take in the game from somewhere else. 

Montgomery's history pretty much starts with statehood in 1820 and really picks up as the industrial revolution in the east demanded more raw materials produced in the south. 

The river and the railroads met in Montgomery and the city became a hub for goods going from farm to factory.

Much of the history of our area is closely intertwined with this supply/demand and its social-political impact. Montgomery's intimate connections to the slave trade, the Civil War, as well as an intolerant and often violent reaction to the Civil Rights Movement left the city with a black eye it refused to acknowledge for decades.

Montgomery Riverfront ca 1905

Montgomery was left lagging behind in many ways, badly stunting its own growth decade after decade, until change began with the building of a ballpark in the riverfront cotton warehouse district in 2004. Since downtown renovation began with that ballpark Montgomery has grown by leaps and bounds, but still struggles to fully embrace its history.

This is reflected in the community, in part, by the lack of some amenities that visitors often expect. Our public transportation, a flashpoint of the Civil Rights movement, never fully recovered and is woefully inadequate. Education is below average, largely due to infighting among local political groups. Public events are often sparsely attended because it is tough to advertise successfully due to wide gaps in how the local population receives news and information. 

 

PLACES TO EAT IN MONTGOMERY

I have been asked about places to eat and things to do in town. Players need food and activities so I am here to share actionable information. Many of these are local gems high on authentic southern ambience and steeped in history.

Not all businesses on this list have been personally vetted since the pandemic, so make inquiries before arriving. I tried to list places fairly close to the ballpark but some are geared for lunch and close early so call ahead! 

Mostly family owned places here, if you mention Dr. Miraculous to them they wont know who you are talking about, but if we walk in together you can be sure they will know what I want before we sit down.

 

Burgers: Hamburger King at 547 South Decatur Street Simply the best since the 1960s and my favorite on this list. Chris' Hot Dogs on Dexter Ave for hotdogs gets suggested to many visitors while locals keep Hamburger King to themselves. Call ahead, they close at two pm, tell them you want the large burger with cheese, if you like that, the topping options are lettuce tomato onion mustard and ketchup.

 

Roberto Alvarez

Pizza: Midtown Pizza Kitchen 2940 Zelda Ave 

also Bibb Street Pizza 424 Bibb St.

 

Tacos: Taqueria El Campesino 1550 Mt. Meigs Rd. is my personal fave.

also Sol Restaurante 3962 Atlanta Hwy. is more of a sit down spot.

For Breakfast: Gregs Breakfast Bar 3407 Norman Bridge Road serves it up! 

Montgomery is a breakfast town, other choices include Mama's Sack Lunches, Davis Cafe for soul food. 

Greg Jones

 

For Lunch: Scott Street Deli 412 Scott Street the best muffaletta in town!

also Shashy's Dining 2700 Mulberry Street, Chappys Deli 1611 Perry Hill Road, Peytons Place 5336 Atlanta Hwy all long time local lunch faves.

 

For Seafood: Capitol Oyster Bar 617 Shady Street, well hidden but worth the effort.

Dogsitter: Riverpaws Pet Resort 444 S. Hull St. will watch your pooch like a boss.

Taj Bradley

 

Bakery: Fennel & Fig 1039 Woodley Rd. untested but recommended

 

For Mom: Gazebo Tea Room 414 Perry Hill Rd looks like the cultured place for an afternoon tea.

Vegetarian: El Rey Burrito Lounge at 1031 Fairview Ave. 

also Plant Bae 175 Lee Street.

First Watch (chain) Zelda Road

Sean Hunley

Latin: D'Road Cafe 121 Montgomery Street offers different food each day, call ahead!

 

24 HOURS EATS

Krispy Kreme Donuts 5474 Atlanta Hwy HOT DONUTS NOW!

Taco Bell 2695 Zelda Rd not quite 24 hrs, also McDonalds Zelda Road,

Costanzo, Hunt, Murray and Lopez

Wattaburger 6970 Eastchase Loop

 

INTERESTING PLACES

F. Scott Fitzgerald House, historic home of famous writer preserved from the 1920s

Old Alabama Town, collection of 1800s historic buildings on N. Hull Street

EJI Memorial

Blount Cultural Park/Alabama Shakespeare Fest/Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, lush grounds surround theater and museum

Jackson Lake, beautiful lake setting, the perfect picnic spot! Five bucks a day, worth it!

Oak Park 1010 Forest Avenue is a free, historic wooded park that also hosts the cities planetarium.

Oak Park ca 1910

#BULLPENLIFE